Friend of Closs kidnapping suspect: “It’s as confusing as it is to anyone”

GORDON, Wis (WKOW) — A friend and former classmate of the suspect in Jayme Closs’ kidnapping and her parents’ murders said Jake Patterson, 21, was shy growing up, but was well-liked in their class.

“He’s just a normal kid just like everyone else. It’s as confusing as it is to anyone, I imagine, that knew him,” Dylan Fisher said.

Dylan Fisher, seen pictured here, acknowledged he and Jake Patterson had lost touch some after high school, but had been friends since second grade.

Investigators said Patterson is unemployed and has no criminal history. The Fisher family said they understand that he was holding Closs captive in his family’s home in Gordon.

“He came to the house periodically. I took him home. He stayed overnight, on and off. He was just one of the gang basically,” Tom Fisher, Dylan’s father said.

“It was like a normal home. He lived with his dad. His mom and dad were divorced. He had an older brother, but his dad seemed very nice. Very normal. Nothing was out of line. He was a very nice kid,” Tom said.